Berea Monday: Moving Forward

Fred Greetham

01/02/2006

Fred Greetham reports from Berea, where the Browns got together on Monday briefly before the players began going their separate ways. Phil Savage was there, and here is the first report on what transpired...

BEREA - It appeared to be business as usual in Berea. Several players
confirmed that Phil Savage addressed the team for about 10 minutes before the
team disbanded until the off-season program begins.

"(Savage) addressed the team and gave us a general overview, that's all I can
say," Ryan Tucker said. "He said, `We're going forward.' It didn't sound like a
goodbye speech at all."

Romeo Crennel was asked early in is address with the media about Savage.

"I anticipate Phil Savage is the general manager and will continue," Crennel
said. "I anticipate we'll get together this week and evaluate what we can do
better."

Crennel was asked what his reaction was on Friday when the rumors came out
about Savage being fired.

"I knew Phil was not fired and he still had a job," Crennel said. "We knew we
had to get ready for the game."

Crennel said he's looking forward to continue to work with Savage.

"I think we have a good working relationship," Crennel said. "Phil is a good
personnel guy. I think any organization that is working toward a common goal.
You have different personalities, but you can work toward the common goal."

What if Savage does end up resigning?

"This is the NFL," Crennel said. "If something happens, you do what you have
to do."

Quick Hits

Bodden Happy: CB Leigh Bodden said he is relieved to head into the
off-season knowing that he will be back with the Browns after signing a
four-year contract last Friday.

"It gives me peace of mind going into the off-season," he said. "I'm glad I'm
going to be here."

Droughns Confident: After rushing for 1,232 yards, RB Reuben Droughns
is confident the Browns will re-do his contract. He was asked if he thought he
would be a holdout next year.

"I don't think so," he said. "I think everything will take care of itself.
Jim Brown told me he thought it should be re-done."

Drew Rosenhaus represents Droughns and is notorious for having his players
hold out.

"I definitely want to get it done professionally," Droughns said. "Yes, show
me the money," referring to the line used by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the movie
Jerry McGuire.

Under the Knife: Crennel said several players will have surgery on
Tuesday. OL Cosey Coleman will have arthroscopic surgery to have his knee
cleaned out. WR Braylon Edwards will have surgery to repair his ACL. FB Corey McIntyre will have his knee scoped to clean out cartilage. Practice player Pete
McMahon will also have his knee scoped. Others who might have surgery in the
near future mentioned by Crennel were DL Orpheus Roye (knee), OL Joe Andruzzi
(knee), and TE Steve Heiden (ankle) and S Chris Crocker (dislocated shoulder)
and they are waiting to see what needs to be done.

C Jeff Faine (torn biceps) said he will begin his rehab on Jan. 10 and is
expected to be recovered by April 1.

On the Draft: Crennel was asked if he was happy with the 2005 draft.

"If you take a Braylon Edwards, a Charlie Frye and a Brodney Pool, they'll
help you," he said. "We knew the second day guys were developmental guys.

"(Nick) Speegle got some experience on special teams. McMillan got reps in
practice that will be invaluable. The experience these guys gained will help
them," he said. "Just because they didn't play this year doesn't mean they won't
play in the NFL."

There will be some turnover as there is every year. We have some unrestricted
free agents that we have to make decisions on and they have to make decisions on
us.

Biggest Plus: Crennel said he was most happy that he felt the Browns
never quit.

"One of the biggest positives is this team played hard every game," Crennel
said. "I told them that if they did that they would have a chance to win a share
of their games. They did that and that's something you can build on.

"The one game (Pittsburgh) we got beat up pretty good, but they didn't give
up."

Biggest Challenge: Crennel reiterated the biggest area the Browns need
to address in the off-season is the front seven.

"I would like to see us improve our rushing defense and get more of a pass
rush," he said. "We need to get better at both positions. If we can get two
guys, one at each position we would be better."

Crennel said they would look at both free agency and the draft to address the
need.

"It depends on who they are," he said. "I had (Richard) Seymour and he came
from the draft and he stepped in and did a good job. We got Ted Washington in
free agency."